• 11/08/2026
  • Article
  • Sustainability
  • Retail

Tchibo Tests Deposit Return Scheme for Loose Coffee Beans in Vienna and Graz

Tchibo is testing a deposit return scheme for loose coffee beans in 33 stores across Vienna and Graz. Reusable stainless steel containers are designed to reduce single-use packaging and keep coffee fresh. How well does the system work in everyday retail operations, and how are customers responding? Initial experiences reveal both opportunities and challenges.
Tchibo reusable stainless steel container filled with roasted coffee beans next to a cup of coffee on a wooden table.
At 33 Tchibo stores in Vienna and Graz, customers can have loose coffee beans filled into reusable stainless steel containers.

Since May 2026, Tchibo has been trialling a deposit-return system for loose coffee beans in Austria in cooperation with reusable packaging specialist circolution. At the 33 participating stores in Vienna and Graz, customers can have coffee beans filled into stainless steel containers with capacities of 250 or 500 grams. The deposit is €3 for the container and €1 for the lid. Customers receive a refund of the deposit when they return the containers to a participating store. The containers are then cleaned and reused. The reusable container is designed to serve both as packaging and as a storage vessel, and can be returned to the reuse system when required.

Robert Stein, Head of Packaging, Capsules & New Materials at Tchibo, shared insights into the experiences gained so far at Austrian Packaging Day on 1 October 2026 and in an interview with FACHPACK360°.

 

Stainless steel for aroma protection, durability and appearance

According to Stein, Tchibo aims to use the pilot project to assess whether reusable containers can serve as a practical alternative to single-use packaging.

Aroma protection and mechanical durability within the reuse cycle were the main considerations when selecting the material. Stainless steel is dimensionally stable and protects the coffee from light, oxygen and water vapour. “However, aroma protection depends not only on the material used for the container body: The lids must also provide a reliable seal. In addition, the container must be suitable for food contact and withstand repeated cleaning,” Stein explains.

A Tchibo employee behind the shop counter fills a silver reusable container with loose coffee beans.
The stainless steel containers are filled with coffee beans directly in Tchibo stores. Returned containers are cleaned on site before being reused.

In-Store Returns and Cleaning

A key aspect of the pilot project is integrating the reusable packaging system into everyday store operations. Unlike systems that rely on centralised cleaning facilities, there is no need to transport returned containers to an external cleaning service provider. “When it comes to returns and cleaning, we have the major advantage of being able to handle both efficiently on site in the stores themselves,” Stein emphasises.

The containers are cleaned on site in the stores' dishwashers – the same machines used to wash dishes and cups from the coffee bar. The pilot project aims to establish how the return, cleaning and preparation of the containers can be integrated into existing workflows.

Alongside technical and organisational considerations, customer acceptance is a key focus. Tchibo is also investigating whether the reusable packaging system attracts additional customers and influences how frequently they visit its stores.

As an incentive, customers who purchase coffee using the reusable container receive 30 TreueBohnen loyalty points, worth 30 cents, credited to their TchiboCard. As the containers are available in stores, customers can also opt for the reusable solution spontaneously.

“We want not only to enable sustainable behaviour, but also to encourage people to participate,” explains Paul Unterluggauer, Managing Director of Tchibo Austria. “The reusable container makes the circular economy a tangible part of everyday life – without any extra effort for our customers.”

 

From Reusable Coffee Cups to Coffee Beans

With the deposit-return system, Tchibo is expanding its existing reusable packaging options. For several years, customers have been able to have loose coffee beans filled into containers they bring themselves or into coffee tins available in stores. The new scheme adds a reusable container with an organised return system.

“Following our experience with reusable cups in the coffee-to-go sector, coffee beans were the logical next step,” says Unterluggauer.

For circolution, the collaboration with Tchibo demonstrates how reusable packaging systems can be integrated into existing retail structures. In addition to suitable containers, effective return and cleaning processes are essential, emphasises Managing Director Maximilian Bannasch: “We provide not only the containers, but also the system behind them – including return and deposit mechanisms, cleaning/quality assurance and the associated logistics.”

Bannasch sees the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) as another driver for the development of reusable packaging solutions. Early pilot projects offer companies an opportunity to gain experience with technical implementation, logistics and consumer behaviour.
 

Decision on Expansion After Pilot Phase

Whether Tchibo will extend the deposit-return system to additional stores remains undecided. The company will first evaluate the results of the pilot project in Vienna and Graz. Key factors include customer acceptance, return rates, actual reuse rates and integration into everyday store operations.

“Once the pilot project has been completed, we will evaluate the results. Among other things, we will consider customer acceptance, return and reuse rates, and operational processes in the stores. Based on these findings, we will decide whether and in what form the scheme will be continued or expanded,” says Stein.

 

Author: Alexander Stark, Freelance Trade Journalist